cranford(克兰弗德)-第49章
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THE very Tuesday morning on which Mr Johnson was going to show
the fashions； the post…woman brought two letters to the house。 I say
the post…woman； but I should say the postman's wife。 He was a lame
shoemaker； a very clean； honest man； much respected in the town； but he
never brought the letters round except on unusual occasions； such as
Christmas Day or Good Friday； and on those days the letters； which
should have been delivered at eight in the morning； did not make their
appearance until two or three in the afternoon； for every one liked poor
Thomas； and gave him a welcome on these festive occasions。 He used
to say； 〃He was welly stawed wi' eating； for there were three or four
houses where nowt would serve 'em but he must share in their
breakfast；〃 and by the time he had done his last breakfast； he came to
some other friend who was beginning dinner； but come what might in
the way of temptation； Tom was always sober； civil； and smiling； and； as
Miss Jenkyns used to say； it was a lesson in patience； that she doubted
not would call out that precious quality in some minds； where； but for
Thomas； it might have lain dormant and undiscovered。 Patience was
certainly very dormant in Miss Jenkyns's mind。 She was always
expecting letters； and always drumming on the table till the post…woman
had called or gone past。 On Christmas Day and Good Friday she
drummed from breakfast till church； from church…time till two o'clock …
unless when the fire wanted stirring； when she invariably knocked down
the fire…irons； and scolded Miss Matty for it。 But equally certain was
the hearty welcome and the good dinner for Thomas； Miss Jenkyns
standing over him like a bold dragoon； questioning him as to his children
… what they were doing … what school they went to； upbraiding him if
another was likely to make its appearance； but sending even the little
babies the shilling and the mince…pie which was her gift to all the
children； with half…a…crown in addition for both father and mother。 The
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post was not half of so much consequence to dear Miss Matty； but not
for the world would she have diminished Thomas's welcome and his
dole； though I could see that she felt rather shy over the ceremony；
which had been regarded by Miss Jenkyns as a glorious opportunity for
giving advice and benefiting her fellow…creatures。 Miss Matty would
steal the money all in a lump into his hand； as if she were ashamed of
herself。 Miss Jenkyns gave him each individual coin separate； with a
〃There！ that's for yourself； that's for Jenny；〃 etc。 Miss Matty would
even beckon Martha out of the kitchen while he ate his food： and once；
to my knowledge； winked at its rapid disappearance into a blue cotton
pocket…handkerchief。 Miss Jenkyns almost scolded him if he did not
leave a clean plate； however heaped it might have been； and gave an
injunction with every mouthful。
I have wandered a long way from the two letters that awaited us on
the breakfast…table that Tuesday morning。 Mine was from my father。
Miss Matty's was printed。 My father's was just a man's letter； I mean it
was very dull； and gave no information beyond that he was well； that
they had had a good deal of rain； that trade was very stagnant； and there
were many disagreeable rumours afloat。 He then asked me if I knew
whether Miss Matty still retained her shares in the Town and County
Bank； as there were very unpleasant reports about it； though nothing
more than he had always foreseen； and had prophesied to Miss Jenkyns
years ago； when she would invest their little property in it … the only
unwise step that clever woman had ever taken； to his knowledge （the
only time she ever acted against his advice； I knew）。 However； if
anything had gone wrong； of course I was not to think of leaving Miss
Matty while I could be of any use； etc。
〃Who is your letter from； my dear？ Mine is a very civil invitation；
signed 'Edwin Wilson；' asking me to attend an important meeting of the
shareholders of the Town and County Bank； to be held in Drumble； on
Thursday the twenty…first。 I am sure； it is very attentive of them to
remember me。〃
I did not like to hear of this 〃important meeting；〃 for； though I did
not know much about business； I feared it confirmed what my father said：
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however； I thought； ill news always came fast enough； so I resolved to
say nothing about my alarm； and merely told her that my father was well；
and sent his kind regards to her。 She kept turning over and admiring
her letter。 At last she spoke …
〃I remember their sending one to Deborah just like this； but that I did
not wonder at； for everybody knew she was so clear…headed。 I am
afraid I could not help them much； indeed； if they came to accounts； I
should be quite in the way； for I never could do sums in my head。
Deborah； I know； rather wished to go； and went so far as to order a new
bonnet for the occasion： but when the time came she had a bad cold； so
they sent her a very polite account of what they had done。 Chosen a
director； I think it was。 Do you think they want me to help them to
choose a director？ I am sure I should choose your father at once！'
〃My father has no shares in the bank；〃 said I。
〃Oh； no！ I remember。 He objected very much to Deborah's buying
any； I believe。 But she was quite the woman of business； and always
judged for herself； and here； you see； they have paid eight per cent。 all
these years。〃
It was a very uncomfortable subject to me； with my half…knowledge；
so I thought I would change the conversation； and I asked at what time
she thought we had better go and see the fashions。 〃Well； my dear；〃
she said； 〃the thing is this： it is not etiquette to go till after twelve； but
then； you see； all Cranford will be there； and one does not like to be too
curious about dress and trimmings and caps with all the world looking
on。 It is never genteel to be over…curious on these occasions。
Deborah had the knack of always looking as if the latest fashion was
nothing new to her； a manner
